The phone scammer, operating under the guise of the Pennsylvania Lottery Second Chance, has lottery and law enforcement officials urging residents to disregard phone calls claiming to be connected with the lottery. The scammers even have an 800 number that plays the same outgoing phone message as the authentic Pennsylvania Lottery switchboard.

"They stole our switchboard recording for their phones," said Pennsylvania Lottery Spokesman Gary Miller, of the new twist on an old scam, known as the "advanced fee" con.

The bogus number, 1-800-419-5970, continues to operate and still uses the lottery's ill-gotten, slightly scratchy switchboard message to catch the vulnerable and convince them to part with money.

Taylor police Officer Stephen Derenick said a borough resident received a call from Jim Phillips who told her she won a $5 million "Second Chance Drawing" telling her to call the 800 number to claim her prize. Not a frequent lottery player, she was suspicious and notified police. A Taylor officer called the number, asked for Mr. Phillips and spoke to a man claiming to be him.

Mr. Phillips said the lottery system was very secure and there was nothing to worry about. The officer later found Mr. Phillips provided a bogus date of birth and driver's license number and did not, in fact, exist. When he called Mr. Phillips back, he responded with a "catch me if you can" bluster.

"I have the best firewall in the world," he told the officer. "I cannot be caught."

Phone scammers are so bold, Mr. Miller said, because they are often overseas, beyond the reach of law enforcement. Jamaica has emerged an epicenter for the scam, he said.

Last year, the U.S. Senate held hearings on the Jamaican "advanced fee" scams, which are estimated to cost Americans more than $100 million annually. Federal Trade Commission complaints about that type of scam jumped from about 1,800 in 2007 to more than 30,000 in 2012.

The Pennsylvania Lottery stepped up an awareness campaign though Facebook and Twitter. The state agency has resources online to help citizens spot advanced fee and others types of scams at www.palottery.state.pa.us.

"These scams come in waves and go around from time to time," Mr. Miller said. "Typically, the crooks pose as lottery employees and try to persuade people to send money or make a purchase to claim winnings."

Lottery officials are encouraged by receiving increased calls from those receiving - but not responding to - suspicious pitches. They hope that's a sign lottery players are more aware of the scams and not falling for them.

The state lottery has a legitimate second chance drawing, but it is conducted entirely online. Players of the scratch-off games register securely on the lottery website for the second chance drawings. They enter numeric codes from losing scratch-off tickets and if they win, the are notified by email sent to the address the player provided. That system has a variety of security features and safeguards, Mr. Miller said.

Winners are never contacted by phone.

"There are two ways to win the Pennsylvania Lottery," Mr. Miller said. "You buy a winning ticket that you redeem or you participate in the second chance drawing and are notified by email."

Anyone suspecting a lottery scam can contact the state Lottery Division of Security at lotterysecurity@pa.gov or 717-702-8026.

Contact the writer: dfalchek@timesshamrock.com

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